Love At First Not: A Non-Stereotypical Love Story

Chapter 13

"And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on," -Lean on Me, by Bill Withers
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The day after the dance, Evelyn walked into homeroom to find the class buzzing about the previous night's events. One of the first surprises she got was finding Dylan and Skyler holding hands as they walked into the classroom together.

"Hey!" Evelyn smiled as Skyler sat down next to the former. "So, you and Dylan, huh?"

"Yeah," Skyler said (and Evelyn didn't miss the slight blush that appeared as Skyler spoke). "Well, he asked me to dance yesterday and I mean, I couldn't say no, 'cause well— um, he's kinda cute, I guess... and we're a good pair when it comes to pranks— you should've seen this one we did together last year! So we waited till everybody left for the day..."

And Evelyn let Skyler ramble on until the bell rang, only half listening, wondering what it would be like to like somebody the way Skyler and Dylan liked each other.
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"Skyler and Dylan are together."

Evelyn sighed as she turned to face Jack. Honestly, the number of times he had come up to her without pretense was astronomical. And it was only the start of November! "And what does that have to do with anything?" She muttered, rolling her eyes and wishing she could bang her head into a wall.

"Just saying, I think that's a perfect example of what you and I could be if you'd just date me already! We're perfect for each other, let's not beat around the bush! Your smarts and my amazingness could make us the ultimate power couple!"

"This is an American middle school, not medieval Europe, you idiot. People don't hook up to form alliances anymore. Can you actually just leave me alone for more than five minutes?" She retorted angrily, sick of the incessant banter that seemed to follow her like a shadow.

"Well, will I get a date out of it if I do leave you alone?" Jack asked smoothly.

Evelyn punched him in retaliation and stormed away, almost visibly fuming. She really was fed up with the nonstop arguing. She'd pay almost anything to get him to leave her alone (besides a date, of course)! What she needed was a way to get him to leave her alone, but how would that happen? Drama's terrible, Evelyn thought bitterly. So that's why everyone hates it.
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As soon as she got home a couple hours later, Evelyn pulled her phone out of her backpack and texted Tim. Talking to him always seemed to make her feel slightly better, even after a terrible day.

Evelyn: hello :)

Tim: ...hi? somethings up, I can tell

Evelyn: nah it's just jack being an idiot like normal

Tim: oof that stinks :(

Evelyn: yeah he's sooo annoying idek— any thoughts?

Tim: idk maybe tell a teacher or something?? Idk sry

Evelyn: u know what, that's probably what i should've done tbh, y didn't I think of that lmao

Tim: hey we can't all be geniuses

Evelyn: see I always knew u weren't as smart as me :)

Tim: kdjkskdjf hey! I mean, I'm totally not the one who just solved ur biggest problem but what do I know according to u

Evelyn: yeesh u know I was joking right? I'm still ur friend

Tim: ik, ik we're still partners in crime

Evelyn: lol remember when we used to trick everyone who shipped us?? Those were the days lol

Tim: ohh yeah and then we danced together at the dance and everybody was freaking out

Evelyn: I think phoebe made like five bucks until she realized lmao

Tim: wait people were betting on us?! How did I not know?!

Evelyn: lmao I didn't realize until the dance either idk but that was fun

Tim: and then we'd hang out together all the time and people were just like "oH wOw ArE yOu fInaLlY tOgeThEr nOw?!"

Evelyn: man I never thought I'd miss those days but somehow I do :/

Tim: yeah I kinda miss the good ol days but it'll all work out right??

Evelyn: I hope so lol :) if anything we'll still have each other as friends

Tim: aNd ThAtS aLl tHaT mAttErS!

Evelyn: (wheeze) XD yessir lmao

Tim: ok ya know what we prolly both still have hmk to do and I'm not in a mood to fail science class, soo ttyl :) bah

Evelyn: byee :) thanks for everything

Strangely, as Evelyn pulled out her math textbook and began to work, she felt something other than the usual relief after these types of conversations. This time, she felt an unfamiliar warmth grow inside of her...
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A/N: Hello again! Sorry it's been a while between updates, but oh well. Anyway, I'm planning to have this story at around 20 chapters plus an epilogue hopefully, so I guess that's what you can expect for this story. Oki doki, have a good day!